Reasonable Expectations?

Originally Posted By -em

After seeing a thread on another board and visiting the parks this week an interesting thoughts been raised and wanted to know if my thoughts were similar to everyone else...

Anyway- In going to a theme park (particularly WDW) what is your reasonable expectations towards your visit? What do you think should be "mandatory" what is "nice to have" what is "icing on the cake"

Parking? All booths open? Being directed to park? Trams?

Overall park? Cleanliness? Rehabs? Staff?

Attractions? Ride Capacity for non fixed capacity rides? (i.e how many coaster cars, jungle boats in operation per day) Fast Pass (Mandatory or just a perk) Reduced operating hours?

Characters/Shows? Availability/ Frequency? i.e is it "okay" to have less showings/no showings on some days?

Food? Availability? Is it "okay" to have less stands/lines open (and potentially less choices)

If you go on a less crowded time is it reasonable to expect a potentially less experience than if you went at peak time despite paying the same?

Is it reasonable to be "forced" into longer waits due to reduced ride capacity (i.e running 2 'rails and not 3 or 4, using 10 boats instead of 15)

Is anything not being available a vacation "killer" like no Fast Pass? or Parking Trams? or Specific Shows?

Thoughts?

-em

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

Interesting thread, em.


I would hope that there is a level of cleanliness, to the place, and a level of uniqueness. Those are the things that I immediately notice, and look for when Disney does something.

Reasonable waits/FP/Organization come along in that line of thought, too, but, that's not my main concern with them.

 

Originally Posted By Labuda

Fur me the "must-haves" are clean parks and wait times of less than 20 minutes for anything ride-related I do. I'm willing to wait longer for a good show (like Nemo, and orsry, -em, I know you don't like Nemo).

Nice-to-haves are things like pleasant crowds and a good meal.

Icing on the cake is when the weather is good and travel time between parks is short because I arrive just in time to load on a bus or a boat.

Oh, another icing on the cake for me is a short wait to load onto buses at park closing.

 

Originally Posted By KatieKate123

I would say that I def think they should have shows all day long (character or otherwise) this takes away time from rides while other people watch shows and vice versa.
I would like the park to be clean, and the staff to be friendly. I do not mind if not all of the trams or cars are running. I don't even mind waiting in line. I do like the fast pass idea (its not necessary but I love the idea) I like it b/c you can come back to that ride with a short wait. I do believe they should let you get a fast pass at more than one ride at a time though.

 

Originally Posted By Disneymom443

I like to see a clean park. And CM's who want to be there.


Referbs, I can understand that they do down durring value. Longer waites, well I haven't run into to many of those when it's not peak time. Some attractions just have longer times no matter when you go. As for the fast pass I could take it or leave it.

 

Originally Posted By Manfried

A clean kept up theme park. Everything working if an attraction is open.
Friendly cast members.

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

As a CM, I feel like my expectations for day-to-day operations may be a little more extreme than others...

<<Parking? All booths open? Being directed to park? Trams?>>

Parking rarely affects me, personally, as I usually park in Cast, and if I'm staying in the resorts I'm using the buses.

With that being said, when I do park in regular parking, there better be at least 2 trams running depending on what park it is.

<<Overall park? Cleanliness? Rehabs? Staff?>>

Cleanliness is a must. I know that there will always be some sort of spill or what not, but they need to be cleaned very, very quickly, IMO.

As for rehabs, they don't bother me. What does, is when management ignores problems with rides and opens them anyway. I'd much rather have a ride closed for the day than open with a malfunctioning, main effect or AA.

The staff should be friendly and helpful, although I will ignore one or two bad eggs per day, because I know every once in a while things like that happen.

<<Attractions? Ride Capacity for non fixed capacity rides? (i.e how many coaster cars, jungle boats in operation per day) Fast Pass (Mandatory or just a perk) Reduced operating hours?>>

I think there should be the maximum possible capacity running for rides as long as it doesn't affect the show. If you have the staff to do it, it should be done.

Fastpass is a perk for me. not a necessity at all.

I don't think any attraction should have reduced operating hours. If it opens for the day, it should stay open until close, barring things like safety, obviously.

<<Characters/Shows? Availability/ Frequency? i.e is it "okay" to have less showings/no showings on some days?>>

Characters aren't a big deal, although every so often I will meet a few. Availability and frequency of appearance is important on those days.

As for shows, they should run every day. I'm looking at you Fantasmic!

<<Food? Availability? Is it "okay" to have less stands/lines open (and potentially less choices) >>

Depending on the time of year, it's okay to have less cashiers, but choices should never be diminished.

Also, I expect my food to be prepared with care each meal, no matter if it's CS or TS.

<<If you go on a less crowded time is it reasonable to expect a potentially less experience than if you went at peak time despite paying the same?>>

Yes, I think it's reasonable. You decided to go during the slow season, when parks usually perform maintenance, so you knew the risk.

<<Is it reasonable to be "forced" into longer waits due to reduced ride capacity (i.e running 2 'rails and not 3 or 4, using 10 boats instead of 15)>>

No. Disney employs 60,000 people. They should use them. Lines due to reduced ride capacity is ridiculous.

<<Is anything not being available a vacation "killer" like no Fast Pass? or Parking Trams? or Specific Shows?>>

No. 99.9% of the time on my vacation is about who I'm with, not what I'm doing. A closed show or ride here or there doesn't affect my vacation.

That being said there are things that annoy me. Like having to plan my trip around Fantasmic!

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Man, this one really strikes a chord with me after seeing the degradation especially after the last 10 years.

To me, Disney is largely failing outside Anaheim during off peak periods, and even sometimes within.

I am ok with less cashiers (toll booths, ticket booths, shops and restaurants) if a place is quiet. That is fine. However, the parks should be clean, and there should not be staggered opening and closing times of attractions, or if they must, they should be clearly printed and not rely on going to an attraction to find out (but I would prefer the Walt ethos of keeping things open unless in refurb). Planned refurbs are to be expected, but with an overall planned menu so hal the park is not closed when going.

I exepct main shows to be running (at least at weekends) and parades to be running every day. I am ok with some reduced streetmousphere off peak.

I expect the attractions to be in working order, and if I spot a fault, I do not expect that fault to be there when I return a few months later.

I expect cast members to be cordial.

Disney did this from 1955 - 2000. Now, it is a real crap shoot. DLP is a good example - this month the park closes at 6pm, and Phantom Manor, Snow White and Storybookland are all scheduled to be closed. And in August, they still had staggered opening and closing of attractions (In peak period!!!!)

 

Originally Posted By KatieKate123

I agree with what everyone says. I was never a cast member for Disney but I was a cast member for Busch Gardens when it comes to cast members I tend to let them off the hook if they aren't smiling every minute. One of my biggest pet peeves was when customers were inconsiderate. For example I am pulling up a very huge heavy cart of stuff up a hill and they have to stop me right at that moment (when I am on momentum) to get directions even though there are 4-5 cast members around me. Also everyone has bad days so I have to say I will let the cast members off though, not all of them should be upset or not even most of them.

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

My idea of reasonable is what you use to get at WDW. I certainly expect the parks to be clean, and well maintained. That also means no peeling paint, and no lights out.
I expect all rides that are not under refurb to be in proper working order. With clean queues.

I expect unique merchandise to fit my surroundings. Not generic shops that I can find in any strip mall in any town.
I expect the CM's to be happy, attentive, and friendly. Yes I know how hard that is to do sometimes too.
I expect all price points on food, and merchandiswe to be higher than average, but not outrageous. The same goes for ticket, and room prices.

Also I expect Deluxe treatment, and services when paying Deluxe prices for my room. That would include late night restaraunts, nice towels, and toiletries, fresh sheets, and turn down service daily. Daily cleaning, dusting, and vacuuming of my room. Also along with the mini-fridge a microwave in the room, and at least basic cable television.

I would expect the system not to be rigged where you had to make dining reservations 6 months in advance.

I would also expect the food to be of superior quality.

I would expect a late night ADULT oriented entertainment area. Like they use to have.

I would expect Park hours from 9 til 9 at all parks.

I would expect in park transportation with reasonable waits of 10 minutes, and adequate seating where you didn't feel like you were being hearded like catlle. This is my vacation. I do not want to be treated like I would be on any big city transportation system.

Will you take care of this for me Em?

 

Originally Posted By standor

I would like to see the parks stay open later. Magic Kingdom and the studios should be open every day till 11PM. Magic Kingdom parade should be shown every night. Fantasmic should be shown every night. Epcot future world should be open until the park closes. I can remember in the eighties, when I rode Space Ship Earth after seeing Illuminations.

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

<<I would like to see the parks stay open later. Magic Kingdom and the studios should be open every day till 11PM.>>

No way. Every night? That's crazy. There's no need for them to be open that late during months like September, October, November, January, February, or March.

<<Epcot future world should be open until the park closes.>>

Future World does stay open until 9. Only 2 rides close at 7. UoE and JII.

 

Originally Posted By leobloom

<<Attractions? Ride Capacity for non fixed capacity rides? (i.e how many coaster cars, jungle boats in operation per day) Fast Pass (Mandatory or just a perk) Reduced operating hours?>>

<< I think there should be the maximum possible capacity running for rides as long as it doesn't affect the show. If you have the staff to do it, it should be done. >>

That's a pet peeve of mine--if you've got the ride vehicles, USE THEM. When I worked at the Land on the boat ride in the days when there was still a live spieler onboard, it was rare that we ran all fourteen boats. Only on the busiest days--like July 4 and New Years Eve--would we run all of the boats. On "average" busy days (days with Early Entry, etc), we might run 8-10 boats. Even if the line was over an hour long, we'd never go with all 14 boats, and usually not as many as 11.

I certainly expect Disney to do what they can to make the lines as short as possible.

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

^Yup. We basically always have our maximum boats running on the river everyday.

BTW, never knew you used to work at Living with the Land. That's one of my favorites. Yea, I'm weird.

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

>A clean kept up theme park. Everything working if an attraction is open.
Friendly cast members.<

Wow - one of the rare times when Manfried & I are in complete agreement! Icing on the cake are all of those uncontrollable things that just happen, like an Off Kilter set starting just as I happen by, or a lull in a queue line and only having to wait 5 minutes before getting on the Maelstrom. Sadly there are many things that I would consider unacceptable, like dirty bathrooms or CMs talking on cell phones and such. But I try not to dwell on any of it and just enjoy my vacation!

 

Originally Posted By Indigo

I think I was reading the same thread. I think there were two problems there, the person paid full ticket price (or very near) and based his schedule on which parks he wanted to bring his family to each day based on availability of certain features that were listed in an official guide.

For example, if you bought a one day day non park hopper to DHS planning to see Fantasmic! as was listed on the schedule and found out that it was canceled that night (not for weather or mechanical reasons - let's say for a private party) and rescheduled for another night, would you expect to be issued a refund? Or is Disney just selling you a ticket to a theme park and their disclaimer that "availability subject to change" is warning enough that refunds aren't valid?

In this case, Fantasmic! schedule changing at the last minute, I would tend to think that guest relations should either add park hopping, so the guest could go see Iluminations that night, or, if it was early in the day, issue a full refund and escort the guest out to return around day.

What if it wasn't Fantasmic? What if it was an E-Ticket attraction, a restaurant? or the availability of Fastpass on a particular attraction? At what point does Guest Relations have to say, "I'm sorry, but you bought a ticket to a theme park and the fact that one particular item isn't available today isn't enough to offer you a refund (or other perk)".

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

What I expect

1/ cleanliness ABOVE what any other theme park offers
2/ Service above what every theme park offers
3/ Hours that allow for visitors who only attend one trip per year- or one trip in 5 years, to still see most of the offerings..regardless of time of year of travel
4/ park transportation that is consistently timely
5/Restaurants with widely varying menu options
6/ Hotel rooms that are a cut above - especially when paying heavy prices
7/ not having anything be a 'hassle' -- i.e. having each member of your party show their room key at each attraction in EMH instead of having a wrist band system any more- ( really ticks me off when you have to have kids carry their own cards with them the whole night- when younger kids are involved)
8/ I expect a fireworks show in MK - DHS & EPCOT each night. If DH is not running Fantasmic -( which i think is bogus) each noght- then return Sorcery in the Sky the other days)
9/ Rides that have AA's and special effects working as close to ALL the time as possible

What I would like- but sometimes expecting 100% of the time would be asking too much for any organization

1/ Wait times of no more than 45 minutes for any attraction
2/ more live entertainment - streetmosphere in each park
3/ all cast members knowledgable
4/ unique souveneir shops in the parks- not the same stuff everywhere
5/ please please keep WS open later each evening for dining etc.
6/ people to shut the he!! up in HM queue / Muppets 3D / Captain EO / Mickey's Philharmaic / Hall pf Presidents etc...no one else wants to hear you..

 

Originally Posted By -em

>> I think I was reading the same thread.<< Wouldn't surprise me

>>At what point does Guest Relations have to say, "I'm sorry, but you bought a ticket to a theme park and the fact that one particular item isn't available today isn't enough to offer you a refund (or other perk)".<< Exactly.

But the question of at what point are you (the guest)being "unreasonable" and at what point is the park being "unreasonable"?

Do you blame the average guest who shows up at Le Cellier at 5:30 pm and wants dinner for not knowing he had to book said dinner 180 days in advance? or do you blame WDW for making it impossible to eat there without 180 day advance reservations?

What does WDW "owe" you in return for your park admission?

Am I "owed" parades? Nighttime shows? Character meet n greets? Rides? Availability at a restaurant of my choice or am I simply "owed" admission though the turnstile and everything else is just icing on the cake? So that if WDW decides to not have F!, LMA and 2 of the 4 big rides closed I don't have a reason to complain because that "subject to change without notice?"

This is safety reasons excluded- If it's the middle of a severe thunderstorm I won't argue the fact the parade/outdoor attraction/show is cancelled...

-em

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>I would expect Park hours from 9 til 9 at all parks.<<<

Way to early. I eat dinner then! 10:30 at the earliesst makes seems to me.... Like Disney used to have.

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>BTW, never knew you used to work at Living with the Land. That's one of my favorites. Yea, I'm weird.<<<

No, it's called being an EPCOT fan. Yor tastes and sensibilities in themed attractions are improving. Welcome to the dark side. It's not such a terrible thing.